Full Voice Music Blog

Recitals, competitions and examinations can be great opportunities for our young music students. Competitions and recitals allow singers to perform for an appreciative audience, listen to other performers and receive constructive criticism on which to improve. But what can you do if families are unhappy with the results? 

“Phantom parent” is the term a colleague of mine uses for parents that only drop off or pick up their child at music lessons. These shadowy figures wave from the inside of a car and then disappear. Private Music Teachers of all disciplines have experienced to some degree – the phantom parent.

MARKETING FOR MUSIC TEACHERS 101
To thrive in business you must be seen. You must be heard. People need to be talking about you. It has to be easy to find you. This is really challenging for private music teachers who are confined to teaching studios seeing students one at a time. It is extremely challenging when “phantom” parents (our employers), don’t show up to lessons to really get to know us, or see what amazing things we do with their children.

I have been on the phone for a couple of days trying to get my teaching schedule confirmed. It is a crazy time of year.Everyone is busy getting ready for school and the numerous activities that their children are going to be involved in. I was just rushed off the phone by a frazzled parent who asked me before hanging up – “is this your cell phone and can I text you later?”

EFFECTIVE LESSON PACING?
In Private Music Lessons – the curriculum pacing should be catered to the individual. This seems quite simple and somewhat obvious; however, many private teachers are pressured in keeping the “September to June” timeline of teaching. Why do we let these invisible timeline restrictions creep into our studios?